The Associated Press has announced its preseason top 25 and three Big 12 squads are on the list. Kansas begins the year at No. 5, followed by Oklahoma State at No. 8 and Baylor at No. 25. The Big 12 has had at least three teams in all but two preseason AP polls since the league began play in 1996-97.

KU has won or shared the last nine Big 12 regular-season championships. The Jayhawks return three starters from last year’s team and tout one of the nation's top recruiting classes. Andrew Wiggins, projected by many media outlets to be a All-America First Team choice, highlights the group. OSU brings back four starters from last year's squad that amassed a 24-9 record, including Big 12 Preseason Player of the Year Marcus Smart. The Bears have two preseason All-Big 12 selections in Cory Jefferson and Isaiah Austin to go along with seven returning letterwinners.

All but one of the teams in the Big 12 have been ranked in the top 25 since 2009, with eight of the 10 league schools receiving top 25 rankings in the past three seasons.